Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish rules for the
use of outdoor signs and certain other signs that balance the communication
needs of businesses, not-for-profit organizations and Village residents
with the public's overall interest in maintaining the Village's
historic character, aesthetic appeal and safe streets and sidewalks.

Interpretation. The words and phrases contained in this chapter shall have the meanings set forth in this section. Words and phrases not defined in this section but defined in Chapter 300, Zoning, § 300-84, of the Village Code shall be given the meaning set forth in that chapter. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning, except where the context clearly requires otherwise.

A sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is
mounted to a pole, building or structure at one or more edges. National
flags, state or municipal flags, or other official flags of any institution
or not-for-profit organization, and residential or "OPEN" flags shall
not be considered banners.

Any organization, including all 501(c)(3) organizations,[2] operated exclusively for charitable, educational, scientific,
literary and/or religious purposes. The organization's assets
must be permanently dedicated to these purposes, and earnings may
not inure to any private shareholder, member or individual. In addition,
it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to
influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and
it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political
candidates. An individual does not qualify as an organization.

Any display in public view used to draw attention to, identify,
communicate, advertise or promote such things as organizations, businesses,
products and services, events, candidates, personal opinions or municipal
information.

Any flexible material, usually cloth, upon which a design,
letters, symbols or unadorned material is displayed. Often mounted
to a staff at two points, flag signs may be displayed hanging against
the face of a building, suspended from an overhanging support, as
a freestanding sign, or as a projecting sign.

A sign which has been in existence at its present location
for 50 years or more and which constitutes a part of the historic
heritage of the Village may be considered a historic wall sign only
so long as its text, colors and graphics layout is not altered and
it is preserved intact.

A freestanding sign usually composed of stone or stone products,
placed directly on the ground and used for a variety of purposes,
including subdivision identity, on-site directional, building identification,
etc.

A sign which is not permanent and not affixed to a building,
a structure or the ground, such as, but not limited to, a sign designed
to be transported by means of wheels, with the exception of a sign
attached to or painted on a vehicle and used in the normal day-to-day
operation of said vehicle or in an authorized Village parade; a sign
attached to or painted on a vehicle parked and visible from the public
right-of-way; an A-frame or sandwich board sign; and balloons used
as signs.

General. Each tax parcel is entitled to an arrangement of wall signs.
In addition, each tax parcel is permitted one projecting sign for
each functional entrance to a first-floor business or basement-level
business on the parcel or one freestanding sign for the entire parcel,
but not both projecting sign(s) and a freestanding sign.

An additional one square foot of wall sign area is permitted
per foot of building frontage over 80 feet up to a maximum of 80 square
feet of wall sign area for buildings with frontage of 120 feet or
more. (Example: For a one-hundred-foot frontage, 60 square feet of
wall sign area is allowed.)

An additional 0.5 square foot of wall sign area is permitted
per foot of side facade width over 80 feet up to a maximum of 40 square
feet of wall sign area for buildings with a side facade width of 120
feet or more. (Example: For a one-hundred-foot side facade, 30 square
feet of wall sign area is allowed.)

Business identity sign. Rear or side exits/entrances other than
for customer use, including delivery doors, apartment doors and tourist
accommodation entrances, located on sides adjacent to the front facade
or on the rear facade, or both, may be identified by a business identity
sign, subject to the following:

Limits on the wall sign area established in Subsection A(2)(a), (b) and (c) above shall take into account the area of all wall signs on the tax parcel, including restaurant menu, awning/canopy, suspended and marquee signs. (See Figure 2, Suspended Signs.[2])

Building directory sign exception: A projecting sign used as a building directory sign for offices and businesses above the first floor shall have placards no larger than one square foot in area. [See Subsection A(2)(e) above for further restrictions and applications.]

Businesses located on Pioneer, Chestnut and Main Street west
of Chestnut Street and Doubleday Court may place one six-inch-by-twenty-four-inch
two-sided placard on the Village-owned business placard holder at
the appropriate location on Main or Chestnut Street.

The provisions of this Sign Law, as stated in § 227-3A (Signs allowed with a permit — Business/Commercial Districts), may be used. Examples include, but are not limited to, hospitals, churches, schools, hotels, museums, etc.

Signs identifying special permit uses in residential districts, as described in Subsection B(1)(a) through (d) above, shall be at least 10 feet from the street line. However, should the building facade be less than 10 feet from the street line, freestanding signs within the ten-foot setback or wall signs will be permitted.

General. No sign, except for certain exempt and temporary signs as
provided for by this chapter, shall be erected, moved, altered, added
to or structurally changed without a permit issued by the Zoning Enforcement
Officer (ZEO). A conforming or permitted sign to be repainted or repaired
to the exact duplication of the original sign shall not require a
permit. The ZEO shall issue a permit only if it complies with the
following provisions and has been approved by the Village Planning
Board.

The owner of a tax parcel containing multiple businesses on the same tax parcel may submit a total building signage plan for all businesses on the tax parcel by following the permit procedure described in Subsection C following.

The plan will describe the location, size and sign type of each sign
for each business located within the structure(s) on the tax parcel
and provide corresponding elevation drawings or detailed photos of
all sides of the structure(s) on which there is signage.

Once the Planning Board reviews and approves the plan, future occupants
need only to follow the approved plan for their individual business
locations, including background sign color(s), letter color(s) and
font sizes.

The applicant shall submit an application for a sign permit, along
with the required fee, to the ZEO. If the applicant is not the owner
of the tax parcel where the sign is to be located, the owner or owner's
agent shall cosign the application.

A colored scaled drawing, showing the dimensions of the proposed
sign, its shape, coloring, type of lettering (font type), sign material,
any architectural details attached to the sign board (frame, etc.),
and if a projecting or freestanding sign, the height of the lowest
portion of the sign above grade.

Recent color photograph(s) of the property where the sign is
to be located that clearly show to scale where the sign is to be placed
and other existing signage that will remain on the property and on
adjacent buildings.

The Planning Board shall be required to accept from the ZEO only
those applications received five or more business days prior to any
scheduled meeting. The Board shall review the application for a permit
by considering the following:

The Board may include, as part of its report, suggested changes
that could lead to permit approval. Such suggested changes shall be
noted on the one copy of the original plans returned to the applicant.

Design standards, general. The following guidelines are provided to encourage and direct applicants to use compatible graphic designs, materials, colors, illumination devices and placement schemes when developing their signage plans. In general, sign design shall be consistent with the purpose and intent of this chapter and the criteria established by § 300-26B and E (criteria for approval for a certificate of appropriateness).

The area of a sign shall be computed as the area of the smallest
rectangle that can be placed around the sign face. The area shall
be measured from the outer dimension of the frame, trim or molding
by which the sign is enclosed, where they exist, or from the outer
edge of the signboard where they do not exist.

When a sign consists of individual letters, symbols or characters
attached directly to the building face, its area shall be computed
as the area of the smallest rectangle that encloses all of the letters,
symbols or characters, collectively.

When a sign consists of two or more faces, as with some freestanding
and projecting signs, only one face of the sign shall be used in computing
the sign area if the faces are parallel to and within 12 inches of
each other. Otherwise, all faces of the sign shall be used to compute
the sign area.

The bottom edge of a post-type freestanding sign shall be at least
eight feet above the ground beneath the sign face when the sign face
is above a walkway, right-of-way, street, alley or an area where persons
congregate.

No part of any freestanding sign shall be above three feet in height when placed in the twenty-five-foot triangle formed by the junction of two streets. See Sketch A in § 300-28B (zoning - yard requirements).

The bottom edge of a projecting, marquee, awning or canopy sign shall
be at least eight feet above the ground elevation beneath the sign,
awning or canopy, if the space beneath the sign is used as a walkway,
driveway, alley or area where persons congregate or where it would
impair visibility.

A canopy or awning may contain lettering, numerals or symbols on
the front vertical surface, provided the height of the lettering,
etc., covers no more than 3/4 of the vertical surface, with the lettering
centered evenly between the top and bottom edges of the vertical face.
The top and bottom 1/8 of the vertical surface will remain free of
lettering, etc. (See Figure 7.[3])

All building directory signs, be they wall, projecting or freestanding
signs (post type), shall have placards no greater than one square
foot in area. Post-type, freestanding building directory signs shall
have a placard size of six inches by 24 inches.

The owner of a sign and the owner of the premises (tax parcel) on
which such sign is located shall be jointly and individually liable
to maintain such sign, including its illumination sources, in a neat
and orderly condition and in good working order at all times and to
prevent the development of any rust, corrosion, rotting or other deterioration
in a sign's physical appearance that may affect its safety.

Unsafe, unsightly, damaged or deteriorated signs or signs in danger
of falling shall be put in order or removed upon written notice by
the ZEO. Immediate compliance is expected for the repair or removal
of unsafe signs. If compliance is not achieved within the time period
specified by such notice, the sign shall be repaired or removed by
the Village and the costs assessed to the property owner.

Temporary signs that are unsightly, damaged or deteriorated, or in
danger of falling or becoming dislodged and/or windblown shall be
put in order or removed upon written notice by the ZEO. Immediate
compliance is expected for the repair or removal of unsafe temporary
signs. If compliance is not achieved, the sign shall be removed by
the Village.

The area, brilliance, intensity, location and type of illumination
shall be the minimum necessary for the intended purpose of such illumination,
consistent with public safety, the welfare of adjacent properties,
and the safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

The period of time of illumination shall be the minimum necessary
for the intended purpose of such illumination, consistent with public
safety and welfare. Illuminated signs must be turned off at the close
of business each day. All illuminated signs extinguished as above
shall remain extinguished until the next regular posted opening hour
of business in connection with which such sign is maintained.

Neon and other gas-type illumination and static LED illumination
shall be permitted behind a window area as an internally lighted window
sign, provided that such lighting is transmitted through the letters
or symbols of the sign, and further provided that such letters or
symbols are designed for and integrated into the face of the sign
prior to its erection and are not glued, pinned or otherwise affixed
to the face of the sign.

Lighted sign boxes faced with clear glass may contain a light source
inside of the box, provided that the light source is mounted forward
of the message board and the light source is screened by a translucent
shield.

The Planning Board may retain the services of a lighting consultant
in accordance with Board of Trustees policy. However, the Planning
Board will make the final decision regarding all external illumination
questions (i.e., intensity, glare, etc.).

Exempt signs. The following signs do not require an application,
approval, permits or fees, provided such signs comply with the general
conditions of this section, as stated below, and other conditions
specifically imposed by these regulations.

Building identification signs incorporated within the facade of a
structure. Names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into
any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze, stainless steel,
or similar material not exceeding four square feet in area.

For structures in residential districts, a sign identifying
only the street name, number and/or nameplate that identifies residents,
not exceeding one square foot when mounted on the house, apartment
or mailbox.

For structures in nonresidential districts, a sign identifying
only the street name and number, not exceeding two square feet when
mounted on the building or not exceeding one square foot when mounted
on a sign or mailbox.

National flags and flags bearing the insignia of any political,
charitable, educational, professional, religious, philanthropic or
similar not-for-profit organization, except when displayed in connection
with a commercial promotion.

In addition to the wall sign area allowed by permit under § 227-3A(2), signs on storefront windows and glass doors in the Business and Commercial Districts are exempt from any application, approval or permit requirements.

A guideline of 25% is suggested as the maximum storefront window
area covered by both permanent (greater than 30 days) and temporary
(less than 30 days) signs applied to the exterior and interior glass
surface of first-floor storefront windows, and first-floor storefront
windows facing a second (side) street.

The use of holiday or special event decorations shall not be
considered part of the twenty-five-percent guideline, and any such
decorations shall be removed following the specific event for which
they were displayed.

Should a sign be needed that exceeds the conditions as listed in Subsection B(2) and (3) following, or if the temporary sign need is not provided for in § 227-6B, approval by the Planning Board is required.

On parcels in residential districts where the use is preexisting,
nonconforming or by special permit, a temporary sign may display a
commercial message for a business located on the property. (Businesses
doing work on properties in any district may display a temporary business
identification sign while work is in progress.)

For each parcel, individuals may display as many temporary signs
as they wish, provided that no two signs, when viewed from a single
point, are identical; that is, look exactly the same in message, design
and color. Each sign may be single- or double-sided and have a maximum
area of six square feet per side and may not exceed 48 inches from
the ground.

Where the property does not provide a location for a double-sided
sign perpendicular to the street, it may be placed parallel to a building's
facade or fence with the total visible area of the signage not to
exceed six square feet for each event or issue.

A sign may be used to describe the location and date of a noncommercial
event at a location other than where the sign is erected, provided
that the parcel owner has granted permission to the person erecting
the temporary sign.

Organizations shall be permitted to display a temporary banner(s)
with wind flaps or a suitable substitute having a total maximum area
of 30 square feet on their property for the purpose of announcing
a special event or to express a point of view.

Signs displayed on public/private property for vending purposes.
The Village Board of Trustees allows temporary vending signs to be
displayed on public/private property in specific situations, such
as special events, not-for-profit fairs, and the outdoor display of
merchandise, etc. For further details, refer to Local Law No. 5-2015.[3]

Directional signs. The Board of Trustees may permit limited
temporary directional signs within the public right-of-way by not-for-profit
organizations for community activities and major attractions in or
near the Village of Cooperstown with the approval of the ZEO in consultation
with the Chief of Police and the Director of Public Works.

The banner is only available to not-for-profit organizations
whose activities center in and whose headquarters are located in the
Village of Cooperstown or the Towns of Otsego, Middlefield, Springfield
or Hartwick. Only not-for-profit sponsors may be listed on the banner.

One wall sign or one freestanding sign, but not both, not to
exceed 12 square feet in area, is allowed for each building undergoing
facade renovation or while waiting for an approved sign to be constructed,
not to exceed 60 days, with an additional 30 days to be extended by
the ZEO, if needed.

All nonconforming uses will comply with the temporary sign requirements
associated with the present (nonconforming) use of the property. The
restriction of additional signage will have no effect on temporary
signs allowed.

Special permit uses. All uses granted by a special permit under
the Zoning Law will comply with the temporary sign requirements of
the zoning district in which the special permit was granted, unless
otherwise provided for in the special permit.

Prohibited signs. Any sign not permitted by this chapter shall be
deemed prohibited. The list of prohibited practices in the following
paragraphs is not an exhaustive list, but has been included to illustrate,
by example, some of the aspects of signage that are considered undesirable
and incompatible, and are thus prohibited.

No sign shall be illuminated by or consist of any moving, flashing,
intermittent or rotating lights, nor be indirectly illuminated by
a lighting device that causes glaring or nondiffuse beams of light
to be cast upon any public street, sidewalk or adjacent premises.

In all districts, no sign shall include elements, such as banners, pennants, ribbons, streamers, balloons, spinners or other windblown devices, that flutter or revolve, except as provided for in § 227-6A(18). (See Figure 11.[4])

For properties classed as nonconformities, as defined in Chapter 300, Zoning, the appropriate provisions of this chapter, as stated for residential, business or commercial districts, shall be used. The Planning Board shall determine which zoning district provisions are appropriate, as governed by the classification of such properties in Chapter 300, Zoning.

Business placard holders. In order to announce the nature and location
of certain businesses in the Business and Commercial Districts that
are adjacent to, or near to, but not upon that section of Main Street
between Chestnut and Fair Streets, a permanent business placard shall
be provided for each business. Each permanent business placard location
shall consist of holders or frames and the individual business placards
identifying each business.

The business whose name is displayed on the placard will be
responsible for its placard and shall replace or repair any damage
thereto or defacement thereof, within seven days or less, or suffer
removal of the placard.

The Village of Cooperstown shall establish a fee schedule whereby
the businesses represented by placards on the placard holders shall
share equitably in the cost of manufacture, maintenance and installation
of the placard holders through the payment of an annual fee. The period
covered by the fee will commence on May 1 of each year and end on
April 30 of the following year. Partial fees shall not be accepted,
and refunds shall not be issued.

The southwest corner of the intersection of Main and Pioneer Streets for the businesses located on the west side of Pioneer Street, south of Main Street and for those businesses located on Pioneer Alley that wish to have their plaques attached at that location rather than Subsection D(2)(d)[5] following;

Each of the above-indicated businesses may attach identical
placards, one on each side of the appropriate placard holder. Each
placard will have a standard size of six feet by 24 inches. Each placard
shall be constructed of a standard material and be painted a common
neutral background color as determined by the Village Planning Board.
Businesses shall make their applications to the Village Planning Board
for approval of lettering, color and text. Applicants should contact
the ZEO concerning the process for manufacturing their placard. Businesses
which elect to combine their advertising into a single placard may
do so as long as the combined total height limitation is not exceeded.
The ZEO will provide an applicant a default color and font, if needed.

The placard of the business located the greatest distance from
Main Street will be placed at the top of the file of placards on the
placard holder, and each of the successive placards will be placed
below the business whose distance from Main Street is greater than
its own.

A ZEO, designated by the Village Board of Trustees and serving at
the pleasure of the Board, shall administer and enforce this chapter.
The ZEO may be provided with the assistance of such other persons
as the Board may direct.

If the ZEO finds that any of the provisions of this chapter are being
violated, he/she shall notify in writing the person responsible for
such violation, indicating the nature of such violation and stating
the action necessary to correct it. Subsequent notification need not
be sent for the same type of violation.

The ZEO is hereby empowered to order the removal or discontinuance
of illegal signs or of additions, alterations or structural changes
thereto or to take any other action authorized by said Village Board
to ensure compliance with or to prevent violations of its provisions.
Any violation that affects public property and/or occurs on public
property (e.g., telephone poles, trees, Village sign posts) is subject
to immediate action.

Any person, whether agent, architect, builder, contractor, owner,
tenant or otherwise, who violates any provision of this chapter following
notification from the ZEO, shall be subject to a penalty of no less
than $100 and not exceeding $1,000 and/or 50 hours of community service
for each violation. Each day that any violation continues shall be
a separate offense. Questions of enforcement of this chapter shall
be resolved by the Village Board of Trustees.

Application for erecting, altering or moving a sign as well as the
filing of a request for a variance by the Planning Board shall be
accompanied by the fee as established in the Schedule of Fees and
adopted by the Board of Trustees. Resubmission of an application adopting
modifications suggested by the Planning Board shall not require a
fee.

A variance is a relaxation of the terms of the chapter where such
a variance will not be contrary to the public interest and where,
owing to conditions peculiar to the property and not the result of
the actions of the applicant, literal enforcement of the law would
result in unnecessary and undue financial hardship.

The Planning Board may, after public notice and public hearing, vary or modify the application of this chapter in harmony with its legislative purpose and intent as stated in § 227-1 and may impose reasonable conditions on the applicant as a requirement for granting the variance.

Newspaper notification is required 14 days prior to a public hearing,
and a minimum of eight adjacent neighbor notifications must be made
by mail 14 days prior to a public hearing, with allowance for additional
mail notifications at the discretion of the board conducting the public
hearing. Special permit/municipal notification shall contact all property
owners within 400 feet/500 feet.

Conflict with other laws. In the interpretation and application of
this chapter, the provisions thereof shall be held to be the minimum
requirements and are not intended to repeal, modify or impair any
existing provisions of law relative to the use of signs. This chapter
shall apply only where it imposes greater restrictions on the use
of signs than is required by existing provisions of the law. In case
of conflict with existing or future provisions of the law, the most
restrictive provisions of the statutes applicable shall apply.

Application and construction. This chapter is applicable within the
Village of Cooperstown and shall be construed as an exercise of the
powers of such Village to regulate, control and restrict the use of
buildings, structures and land for outdoor advertising purposes, displays,
signs and other advertising media in order to promote the health,
safety, morals and general welfare of the community, including the
protection and preservation of the property of the Village and its
inhabitants and of peace and good order, for the benefit of trade
and all matters related thereto.